The Impact of Gamification on Student Motivation and Engagement: An Empirical Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of an online gamified learning environment on university students' motivation and engagement in learning a computer essentials course. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used on the participants of Saudi university students. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the students in the experimental and control groups regarding their motivation and engagement towards learning, with the experimental group exhibiting higher scores. Conclusions: The study concluded the effectiveness of using gamification in developing motivation and engagement towards learning in the field of computer sciences. The study recommends encouraging teachers to take advantage of e-platforms and applications that support gamification in teaching computer courses. It is also recommended that, when implementing a gamification strategy in education, the program should be designed in accordance with theories and principles of gamification design in education, as these have an impact on developing motivation and engagement towards learning.